Moorad
-----Original Message-----
From: Bjoern Moeller <dj_mic20@yahoo.com>
To: asa@calvin.edu <asa@calvin.edu>
Cc: wtyates@aol.com <wtyates@aol.com>
Date: Friday, December 10, 1999 6:20 AM
Subject: re:bible ethics
>Bill,
>
>I agree with you when you write:
>
>
>Jesus did not 'compile' current ethical ideas. He is
>ultimately the
>SOURCE for ethical ideas, being a member of the
>Godhead. He did not
>synthesize current ethical theories, He laid the pure
>foundation of
>those theories. Jesus, although as a man was a member
>of the culture of
>His time, as God, He preceeded that culture and,
>indeed, all cultures.
>There seems to be a current of critical thought which
>ascribes Jesus'
>ministry as derivative of His culture and
>circumstances, merely a
>dramatic repackaging of exiting ideas. This tendency
>forgets that He is
>GOD ALMIGHTY in the flesh.
>
>
>--
>
>What I tried to say is that modern scholars, i.e. some
>theologians, historians and others, most often
>conclude that Jesus was not an original teacher of
>neither religion nor ethics. I think, as you do, that
>he was. How could he be ? Being the son of God and God
>incarnate he was absolutely a unique, original and
>specifically extraordinary being.
>
>I am not very familiar with American scholars in
>antiquity, but I know that most European (and Danish)
>scholars would state something like what I have stated
>above (that Jesus is not unique bla bla). I just sat
>in at a lecture in 'Antique culture', a course I
>attend this fall at Copenhagen University. The
>teacher, a distinguished scholar of the antique
>period, presented views like these mentioned on Jesus
>and early christianity. He said (quote): 'What you
>think about Jesus' teaching depends on your mentality
>(i.e. your religious mentality).'
>
>Now, I dare say that it is possible to believe in the
>divinity of Jesus, and at the same time be
>scientifically responsible. After all, that was how
>theology started out.
>
>So, we can live on in agreement, and continue the
>fight for a christian theology.
>
>Bjoern.
>
>
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